Apparatus for use in exercising, and developing and applying static electricity.



M. M. HITT. APPARATUS FOR USE IN EXERGISING,AND DEVELOPING AND APPLYING STATIC ELECTRICITY. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21, 1909.

970,332. Patented Sept. 13,1910.

A TTORNE Y MARCELLUS MUNROE HITT, 0F LURAY, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T0 1). L. KAUFFMAN, 0F LURAY, VIRGINIA.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN EXERCISING, AND DEVELOPING AND APPLYING STATIC ELECTRICITY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 13, 1910.

Application filed December 21, 1909. Serial No. 534,361.

To all whmn it may concern: I

Be it known that I, NIARCELLUS M. .I'IIT'I, a citlzen of the United States, and a resident of Luray, in the county of Page and 1 State of Virginia, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Use in Exercising, and Developing and Applying Static Electricity, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a simple apparatus adapted for use in exercising the legs and also for simultaneously developing and applying static electricity.

The construction and operation of the invention are as hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the support to which the brushes are attached.

A indicates a rectangular wooden base, B bowed metal frames attached to the base and standing vertically, and C and D brushes attached thereto, as will be further described. The frames B are formed of rods and are duplicates in form and attachment and arranged opposite each other on the base A. Each comprises a horizontal top portion 1, vertical side portions, or legs, 2, horizontal base portions 3, and hooks or toes 1 forming the terminals of the parts 3. The latter rest upon the base A and the toes 1 enter holes in the latter. Staples 5, see Figs. 1 and 2, are applied to the parts 3 at a oint adjacent to the legs 2, and these, togetlier with the toes 1, serve to hold the frames B rigidly in their required position. Within the upper portion of each frame B is arranged a sheet metal band E, the same being bent into oblong rectangular form, its ends overlapping directly beneath the top portion 1 of the frame B The width of the band considerably exceeds the thickness of the rods to which it is secured. The tufts of the brushes C are secured to the frame support B and supplemental brush support E, by looping them around the same, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and applying a wire clamp 6 on the inner side of the frames, whereby the tufts are held firmly. It will be noted that the brushes are looped around the frame and the band E at the top and on the sides of the frame, but that the lower horizontal portion of the band serves as the sole support for the lower series of brushes,

as will be understood by reference to Fig. 2. The bands E furnish a broad supplemental support for the brushes whereby they are held in horizontal position as required. It

is obvious that without these parts E the brushes would rotate upon the frame B, which, for the sake of economy of manufacture, are preferably made of round iron rods bent into the required form. The brushes C project toward each other, but are separated by a narrow space, as indicated in Fig. 1, their free ends flaring or diverging so as to make a wide brush surface. The collection of tufts forming the brushes D, which rest upon the base A and project outward from the frames B, is attached to the broad bands, or flat bars, F which extend between and are attached to the legs 2 of each frame B as shown best in Fig. 3, and the tufts comprising the brushes 1) are looped around the bands F and secured by wire clamps S, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

In using the apparatus, a man should stand in his stocking feet with either foot on one side of the apparatus, while the other is swung through the space that intervenes between the brushes C. In other words, he stands with one foot on one of the brushes D which project laterally on the base H, and passes the other foot and leg back and forth between the opposed brushes C. In this way, static electricity is generated, and the person of the user is charged with the same to a greater or less degree, while he derives benefit from the mere act of physical exercise.

I thus provide a simple, compact, and comparatively inexpensive but efficient appliance for home use as a physical exerciser and a therapeutic agent.

It will be noted that the lateral brushes 1) to a degree insulate the foot resting thereon and thus promote the generation and application of static electricity.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus for the purpose specified, the combination, with a horizontal base and a vertical frame secured thereto,

of a supplemental brush-support consisting of a flat band arranged in contact with, and extending along, the upper portions of the frame, the edge of the band projecting beyond the frame, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In an apparatus for the purpose specified, the combination, with a horizontal base and a frame composed of bowed metal rods secured to said base and standing vertically, of a supplemental brush-support consisting of a broad band arranged within the vertical and horizontal portions of the; frame, and brush material looped around and secured to the frame and band, the latter being wider than the thickness of the frame and thus extending laterally there- 

